VETERAN Irish legend Ronan O’Gara will once more rewrite the record books when he lines up against the Blues in Cork tomorrow evening (6.30pm).

VETERAN Irish legend Ronan O’Gara will once more rewrite the record books when he lines up against the Blues in Cork tomorrow evening (6.30pm).

The 35-year-old will become Munster’s most capped player when he takes the field at Musgrave Park to win his 234th competitive cap.

Munster have made wholesale changes to the side who defeated leaders Ulster last weekend with only skipper Doug Howlett, centre James Downey, scrum-half Conor Murray and Tommy O’Donnell retaining their places.

Lions star Keith Earls returns from injury to partner Downey in the centre, while former Blues midfield man Casey Laulala has been named as a replacement.

In a battle of the generations, O’Gara could face Blues teenage star Rhys Patchell this weekend.

Patchell who has emerged as a genuine Six Nations contender following some impressive displays and injuries to Rhys Priestland and James Hook.

Priestland will miss the rest of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, while Hook is battling to make the start of the tournament with a shoulder problem leaving Ospreys outside-half Dan Biggar as the favourite to land the Wales No.10 jersey.

But Blues backs coach Gareth Baber believes Patchell would take a Welsh call-up in his stride.

“I am sure Wales will look at Rhys especially with the injuries they have at 10,” said Baber.

“He is playing regularly for us and the Welsh management have said they want people to be playing and he is playing well.

“He is an intelligent man even at 19, but people have to be patient with him because he still has a lot od development to do.

“If he is involved with Wales he will grab every opportunity he has been given.”

The Blues are currently languishing in ninth place but Baber insists they have not given up hope of a top four play-off place following their narrow Boxing Day derby victory over the Dragons at the Arms Park.

“This time of year you want to put yourself in a position to be involved in the final stages of a competition,” said Baber.

“We want to be pushing for a position in the top four and January and February becomes vital in making sure you are in a position in April and May.

“It was good to get a win against the Dragons.

“The conditions did not help but we got the victory and the boys showed the character we are trying to build here.

“There is always pressure in local derbies and the boys were delighted with the win.

“We know we have let a couple of games go and we felt as a squad we needed to give something back to the fans.

“We are encouraged by the young players development individually and collectively although we know there is a long way to go.”

The Blues face Munster in Cork before returning to the Heineken Cup as the region hope to avoid a European whitewash in their final group games against Toulon and Sale.

“We will be back in the Heineken Cup at the moment and going out to Musgrave Park is as good as going to any European destination,” added Baber.

“We want to put in a performance to build on what we have achieved over the festive period.”

The Blues will finalise their side today as they hope to welcome back Wales duo Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny.

Roberts (elbow) and Halfpenny (neck) were both injured during the autumn international defeat against Australia on December 1.

And the Lions pair faced a race to prove their fitness ahead of the Six Nations opener against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, February 2.

But both players are now in contention to return for the Blues to face Munster.

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